Money in terms of making it, spending it and saving it.
I could work outside the home and bring in about $20k a year over and above what it would cost us for a Nanny, lawn care, and a maid service. But that does not include the extra car we would need for me to drive to work, work clothes and all the other miscellaneous expenses that go along with a job. If I did work we "deserved" expensive vacations and "deserved" a new TV etc... I would also have someone else raising my Triplets and installing their values on the kids. I am not poo-pooing people that have a nanny or use day care etc... we have done both. But it is a fact, if you are not there someone else is taking your place for that time during the day and your kids then learn from them.
Spending vs. money is another issue. We want to save money but in light of all the economic issues who is to say that if we scrimp and save to get three big 529 plans just to see them evaporate. Plus who is to say they will go to college. Seriously, I would not have an issue if one or more want to go into a trade. Heck, who are the people with all the free time, motorcycles, boats, RVs, ATVs etc.... Yep, plumbers, electricians etc... I want them to go to college but I do not think forcing someone to go is a good idea. So in light of all that why not enjoy most of our money now. No, I am not talking about taking the attitude that our Socialistic Government will save me so why not squander our money:) but rather use it wisely and share it with others in need. Don't even think of emailing me wanting some of it:) It is funny that we make a lot less now but we are also giving a lot more. Most people call that God's economics.
I could also "save" a lot of money by investing a lot of time into coupon hunting/trading and planning out all my buying. But then isn't time money? Unfortunately I am confronted daily by the fact that there are only 365 days a year (leap year not withstanding) 24 hours in a day, 60 minutes in an hour and 60 seconds in a minute. So unless I learn how to bend the space-time continuum then I only have a finite amount of time to do stuff in. The CFO and I have already cut our TV time down to about an hour every other day so there is not a lot of time there. Most of my "free time" is time spent with the kids. For instance when the CFO comes home I could ask her to take care of them while I get stuff done but I would rather us have time together as a family. The stuff can wait till after they go to bed.
Sorry for the long post... I am sure I will have more to write on this subject before long:) On a separate note, sorry for my more than infrequent misspellings. It has never been my strong suit and I barely find the time to blog much less edit it for spelling and grammar. Yes, I really do have a degree:)
One of the kid's favorite spots is the Zoo and we went there with some friends last weekend.
It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues.
Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)
Al
2 comments:
Great insight, Al. Thanks for sharing!
due to our situation my husband and i both have to work. my mother quit her job to be our "nanny". i am happy with it but still sad everyday that i don't have the option to stay at home and raise them myself.
we pack as much as we can into the little time we have with them at night when we get home and the weekends. family is always offering to babysit so we can go out but we never want to. sometimes i think they are offened like we don't trust them. but it's just that we can't bear to be away from them anymore than we HAVE to.
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